Apparatus and method for providing dynamic communications network traffic control

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling traffic on a communications network include dynamic and flexible control plans that enable service providers to control or influence customer access to communications facilities. Communications facilities are monitored to identify network elements, such as cell sites, that are overloaded. When the traffic intensity on a particular facility exceeds a predetermined level, either active or passive control is imposed on subscribers that are in the geographic area of the facility. Active control involves blocking, delaying or disrupting subscriber calls during the critical time period. Passive control involves providing cost incentives or disincentives during low or peak periods of traffic intensity. Customers are notified of the commencement and/or termination of active or passive control preferably via SMS. When implemented with stationary cellular service, the systems and methods aid in traffic engineering and provide opportunities for customers to reduce the cost and increase the accessibility of telephone service.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is related to and incorporates in its entirety the co-pending application entitled, Apparatus and Method for Providing Reduced Cost Cellular Service, which was filed concurrently with this application, and is owned by the assignee of this application.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to telecommunications, and more particularly, to systems and methods for providing reduced cost cellular service by minimizing the cost of equipment, activation and service.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]“Plain old telephone service” (POTS) is ubiquitous in much of the world today. For a variety of reasons, however, cellular technology sometimes provides an attractive alternative to POTS, even for customers that do not need the mobility that cellular service inherently provides. For example, a low-income customer such as a college student may be somewhat transient, making repeated initiation and termination of POTS costly and inconvenie...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]Certain aspects and features of the various embodiments of the present invention address the problems described above with a cellular apparatus and service that is significantly less expensive to provide, easier to activate, and less expensive to operate. Reductions in cost are achieved by streamlining the cellular device itself, automating the process of activating and servicing the cellular device, and by providing more accurate and flexible rate plans and signals that enable the customer and the service provider to control the cost of service. These measures reduce the cost of providing cellular service and serve the market demand for lower priced cellular service.

Problems solved by technology

The SCD lacks the unlimited handoff capability that allows ongoing cellular telephone conversations to be passed from any one cell site to any other cell site.

Images